Severe Weather Protocol

Reviewed 03/2020

Tornadoes are a common occurrence in Oklahoma. They can happen during any month of the year. This makes tornadoes one of the most likely emergency incidents that we would have to face. These procedures are written to ensure understanding of duty assignments under any staffing situation for the library. Be prepared. Make sure everyone knows their assigned role in case of a real emergency.

Shelter-in-place is the recommendation of Oklahoma City Emergency Management. Shelter-in-place means to take shelter where you are, inside your home, workplace, or a nearby building. There are no designated public shelters in Oklahoma City. During a weather emergency, library members and employees in the building will be directed to designated shelter-in-place areas within the building.

Prepare a Tornado Safety Plan

Develop a good plan tailored to your building using the Tornado Emergency Plan template in this manual. Identify the best “shelter-in-place” spaces in your building. Include in your plan provisions for people with disabilities.

Put together an emergency kit that includes a staff roster and ensure staff know where it is kept.

Every location should have an emergency kit including:

Flashlights and extra batteries
Battery-operated radio with weather band
First aid kit
Bottled water
Towels and blankets
Work gloves
Duct tape
List of phone numbers of emergency services
Staff roster (where and when applicable)

State of Readiness

The National Weather Service issues a Watch to give advance notice that severe weather is possible in the area. This gives us time to make preliminary plans for moving to safety if a Warning is issued.
If a tornado occurs, visitors will be looking to employees as well as to emergency personnel for guidance on the correct actions to take.
Library personnel will make themselves aware of customers in the building and be prepared to move quickly to shelter.

Increased Readiness

When a credible, long-term tornado prediction has been issued:

Begin monitoring local television/radio broadcasts
Initiate communication with library staff
Begin preparations in case evacuation is necessary
Pre-position resources and equipment in the shelter area
Keep a current list of staff on duty so everyone can be accounted for

Know What to Listen for:

Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to know when warnings are issued.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.

If it looks likely that a tornado warning will be issued, staff should ensure customers have heard that storms are approaching. The library is not a public storm shelter, and if sirens sound the library will shelter in place.

In Central Oklahoma, an outdoor warning system consists of sirens designed to alert citizens of approaching hazardous conditions. The siren will sound only if a tornado is an imminent threat to your area.

Sirens are reactivated each time the National Weather Service issues a new tornado warning in the county zone, so more than one may be sounded in succession. No “all clear” signal is given when the threat has passed.

When a Tornado Threatens

Follow the tornado evacuation procedures for your building.
Lead all staff and customers to the designated safe areas in a calm, orderly and firm manner.
Everyone should crouch low, head down, protecting the back of the head with the arms.
If you are out of the building, get into a solid structure and move to a small room on lower levels, an interior hallway, or basement.

After the Tornado

Keep everyone assembled in an orderly manner, in a safe area away from broken glass, debris and away from any damaged part of the building.
Ensure nobody is using matches or lighters in case of leaking natural gas.
While waiting for emergency personnel to arrive, carefully render aid to those who are injured.
Remain calm and alert and listen for information and instructions from local radio, emergency crews and local officials.

Attached files: Severe Weather Protocol pdf

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